LOGIN"And the contract was withdrawn shortly after." "Yes." "How did you interpret that?" "She followed through." Cole objected. Speculation. Sustained. "Ms. Holloway. Across three years of events. How would you describe Alicia Valentine's manner?" "Controlled. Always controlled. She was never visi
Her smile faltering. A shadow passing across it. "Because I want you to understand—" "No." A step closer. "You are here because you are terrified. Because despite everything. Despite the photo. Despite Edward sleeping with you. Despite wearing his grandmother's necklace. You're still not his wife.
Alicia's POV The screen came on. The photography gallery. Museum lighting. Artwork on the walls. I was already there when Lucy walked in. I watched myself from across a courtroom. The navy gown. Hair up. Standing in front of a photograph of a woman whose face was half in shadow. Lucy stopped be
"No." She picked up one page from her table. Set it back down without reading it. The movement of someone who had taken in every word long before this moment and no longer needed to see them again. "Mr. Valentine. You called Alicia Valentine thirteen times that morning." "Yes." "She didn't answe
Edward's POV Four steps to Cole's table. Folder down. His hand moved over it without looking up. Done. Seven more to the stand. I sat. Adjusted once for the shoulder. Hands open on the railing. The sling pulled across my chest and I left it. Cole stood at the podium. "Mr. Valentine. Please sta
Judge Harmon returned at fourteen minutes. She set the folder on her bench and read without acknowledging either side. Two pages. She closed it. "The exhibit will be admitted with the following limitation. The jury is instructed that Exhibit D is to be considered only in the context of witness tes
Alicia's POV I must have fallen asleep. Or maybe just passed out. I couldn’t tell. When I woke, the world felt keen around the edges. On the nightstand, the chamomile Edward had ordered from the help sat half-drunk, already partially sipped. I hadn’t had the strength to finish it before dozing.
"Oh, honey." Elena was out of her chair and on the bed in seconds, arms wrapped around me, careful of the IV line. "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry." I buried my face in her shoulder and sobbed. Ugly, wrenching sobs that hurt my ribs and made my head pound. Elena held me through all of it, one hand
Edward’s POV The whiskey burned on the way down, a heat that climbed and lingered, settling in my chest like a tightening knot. I stood at the kitchen counter with the glass in hand. The bedroom door had closed behind her, soft and definite. She had been at the hospital all day. Or so she said. I
Edward's POV The door clicked shut behind me. I leaned against it, chest tight, fingers digging into the bridge of my nose. The frame wound cold into my spine. It was the only thing holding me together. I had just been beside her. Watched the blood drain from her face. Watched her hand pull away f







